Top Stories – September 18, 2026
1. Sanders-Casar Bill Would Permanently Ban Superintelligent AI, Pause Advanced Development
Source: Senator Bernie Sanders | Date: September 5, 2026
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Greg Casar introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would permanently prohibit any entity from developing or deploying AI matching or exceeding human cognitive performance across tasks or capable of resisting shutdown - with penalties mirroring illegal nuclear weapons development, including corporate shutdown and up to 20 years imprisonment. The bill would also create a cabinet-level AI oversight agency and direct the United States to pursue international agreements banning superintelligence worldwide; backers include Geoffrey Hinton, Yoshua Bengio, Steve Wozniak, Steve Bannon, and Glenn Beck.
2. UK ICO to Become Information Commission on September 30
Source: Information Commissioner’s Office | Date: September 16, 2026
The UK’s primary data and AI regulator transitions from a sole-commissioner model to a board-based structure on September 30, implementing the Data Use and Access Act - shifting decision-making authority from one official to seven non-executive members while all existing enforcement powers carry over intact. The restructured body is under a statutory duty to prepare an AI Code of Practice, making this governance change a significant milestone for UK AI oversight.
3. Colorado Must Publish Revised ADMT Implementation Rules by September 23
Source: Consumer Finance Monitor | Date: September 9, 2026
Colorado’s Attorney General is required to publish revised implementation rules for the state’s automated decision-making transparency law by September 23, giving companies their clearest preview yet of the operational requirements that take effect January 2027 for AI used in employment, lending, and housing decisions. The revised rules come as the FTC has separately signaled that federal preemption may override some state AI-output mandates, adding legal uncertainty to compliance planning.